Storage and discharge apparatus

Abstract

An improved storage and discharge apparatus (10) for receiving items to be stored and selectively discharging same. The storage and discharge apparatus (10) comprises a depositary (14) for receiving items to be stored, the depository (14) defining a forward end portion (22) defining a discharge opening (26). The depository (14) further defines a bottom portion comprising a discharge conveyor (16) for supporting the items stored and for selectively discharging the items through the discharge opening (26). The apparatus also comprises a traveling loading mechanism (12) disposed above the depository (14) for depositing items to be stored into the depository (14). The loading mechanism (12) is longitudinally movable along substantially the length of the depository (14) and is selectively driven by a suitable drive. The loading mechanism (12) includes a cross-feed vibratory conveyor (50) having a vibratable tray (66) for receiving items to be stored, the tray (66) defining a slot (b 74) disposed above the depository through which the items are received. A movable wall (76) is disposed beneath the tray (66) rearward of the and adjacent to the slot (b 74), the movable wall (76) extending downwardly from the cross-feed conveyor (50) into the depository and being inclined toward the forward end portion (22) of the depository (14). In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus (10) is provided with an electrical control (94) for automatically controlling the loading and unloading of the depository (14).

I claim: 
     
       1. An improved storage and discharge apparatus for receiving items to be stored and selectively discharging same, said apparatus providing for reduced damage to said items and first-in, first-out handling, said apparatus comprising: a depository for receiving said items to be stored, said depository having first and second opposite sidewalls and forward and rearward end portions, said forward end portion defining a discharge opening through which said items to be stored are selectively discharged from the depository, said depository being provided with a bottom portion defining a discharge conveyor for supporting said items to be stored and selectively moving said items toward and through said discharge opening to facilitate discharge of said items from said depository;   a loading mechanism disposed above said depository for depositing said items to be stored in said depository, said loading mechanism being longitudinally movable between a first position proximate said forward end portion of said depository and a second position proximate said rearward end portion of said depository, said loading mechanism being provided with a first drive means for selectively effecting travel of said loading mechanism between said first position and said second position, said loading mechanism having a cross-feed vibratory conveyor including a selectively vibratable tray for receiving said items to be stored, said tray defining a slot oriented above said depository through which said items to be stored are received; and   a movable wall attached to and disposed beneath said tray, rearward of and adjacent to said slot of said tray, said movable wall extending across said depository and continuously downwardly from said cross-feed conveyor into said depository to proximate said discharge conveyor during said receiving and discharging of said items and being inclined toward said forward end portion of said depository at a preselected angle, said movable wall providing a rearward support to all items stored in said depository to maintain a substantially uniform maximum level of said stored items and move toward said discharge opening as said stored items move out through said discharge opening, whereby selected vibration of said vibratory tray conveys said items to be stored to and through said slot to be deposited in said depository on said movable wall at substantially said maximum level of said stored items to reduce distance of free fall of said items from said slot and thereby reduce damage to said items.   
     
     
       2. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises an infeed conveyor for converging said items to be stored to, and depositing said items on, said vibratable tray of said cross-feed conveyor. 
     
     
       3. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vibratable tray of said cross-feed conveyor defines a first portion which substantially spans said depository from said first sidewall to said second sidewall and said slot of said tray extends substantially the width of said depository from said first sidewall to said second sidewall and is disposed at a preselected bias angle to facilitate the even depositing of said items into said depository. 
     
     
       4. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vibratable tray defines a second portion which extends beyond said first sidewall of said depository for receiving said items to be stored from said infeed conveyor. 
     
     
       5. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said first and second sidewall of said depository defines an upper edge, and said depository is provided with a frame for supporting said depository, said frame including a first rail member disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to said upper edge of said first sidewall and a second rail member disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to said upper edge of said second sidewall, and wherein said loading mechanism comprises a carriage for movably carrying said cross-feed conveyor, said carriage having a pair of first wheel members for rotatably engaging said first rail member, and a pair of second wheel members for rotatably engaging said second rail member. 
     
     
       6. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a discharge chute mounted on said forward end portion of said depository for receiving said items from said discharge conveyor to facilitate said discharge of said items from said depository. 
     
     
       7. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 6 wherein said discharge chute comprises a second vibratory conveyor for conveying said items away from said discharge opening of said depository. 
     
     
       8. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises electrical control means for automatically controlling the travel of said loading mechanism and the operation of said discharge conveyor. 
     
     
       9. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 8 wherein said movable wall defines a forward surface and wherein said electrical control means comprises a first level detection means mounted on said loading mechanism for detecting when said items to be stored build up adjacent said forward surface of said movable wall to a preselected maximum level, said control means having a rearward control mode for actuating said first drive means and initiating travel of said loading mechanism and said movable wall toward said rearward end portion of said depository in response to said first level detection means detecting said items to be stored reaching said preselected maximum level, and for terminating said travel toward said rearward end portion when said first level detection means detects a level below said preselected maximum level. 
     
     
       10. The improved storage and discharge apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means has a forward control mode, operatively associated with the activation of said discharge conveyor, for actuating said first drive means and initiating travel of said loading mechanism and said movable wall toward said forward end portion of said depository in response to said first level detection means failing to detect a build up of said items adjacent said forward surface to said preselected maximum level and for terminating said travel toward said forward end portion in response to said first level detection means detecting a build up of said items adjacent said forward surface of said movable wall to said preselected maximum level. 
     
     
       11. An improved storage and discharge apparatus for receiving items to be stored and selectively discharging same, said apparatus providing for reduced damage to said items and first-in, first-out handling, said apparatus comprising: a depository for receiving said items to be stored, said depository having first and second opposite sidewalls each defining upper edges, and having forward and rearward end portions, said forward end portion defining a discharge opening through which said items to be stored are selectively discharged from said depository, said depository being provided with a bottom portion defining a discharge conveyor for supporting said items to be stored and selectively moving said items toward and through said discharge opening to facilitate discharge of said items from said depository;   a loading mechanism disposed above said depository for depositing said item to be stored in said depository, said loading mechanism being longitudinally movable between a first position proximate said forward end portion of said depository and a second position proximate said rearward end portion of said said loading mechanism being provided with a first drive means for selectively effecting travel of said loading mechanism between said first position and said second position, said loading mechanism having a cross-feed vibratory conveyor including a selectively vibratable tray for receiving said items to be stored, said tray defining a slot oriented above said depository through which said items to be stored are received;   a movable wall attached to and disposed beneath said tray, said movable wall extending across said depository and continuously downwardly from said cross-feed conveyor into said depository to proximate and discharge conveyor during said receiving and discharging of said items and being inclined toward said forward end portion of said depository at a preselected angle, said movable wall defining a front surface to form a rear wall of said depository and support all said deposited items to proximate a maximum preselected top level at said front surface whereby selected vibration of said vibratory tray conveys said items to be stored to and through said slot to be deposited in said depository on said movable wall at substantially said maximum top level of said stored items to reduce distance of free fall of said items and thereby reduce damage to said items; and   electrical control means for automatically controlling the travel of said loading mechanism and the operation of said discharge conveyor, said control means including a first level detection means mounted on said loading mechanism for detecting when said items to be stored build up adjacent said forward surface of said movable wall to said preselected maximum top level, said control means having a reverse control mode for actuating said first drive means and initiating travel of said loading mechanism and said movable wall toward said rearward end portion response to said first level detection means detecting said items to be stored reaching said preselected maximum level and for terminating said travel toward said rearward end portion when said first level detection means detects said items falling below said preselected maximum level, said control means having a forward control mode, operatively associated with the activation of said discharge conveyor, for actuating said first drive means and initiating travel of said loading mechanism and said movable wall toward said forward end portion in response to said first level detection means failing to detect a build up of said items adjacent said foward surface of said movalbe wall to said preselected maximum level, and for terminating said travel toward said forward end portion in response to said first level detection means detecting a build up of said items adjacent said forward surface of said movable wall to said preselected maximum level.